I love the viking funeral.

And much ~ma, Maria.

I just discovered iTunes U. How did I not know about this before? Tons of free stuff to learn.

I love iTunes U. To the point, I look for professors I like and try some of their lectures even on topics I wouldn't have otherwise. It is unto crack for me. Stanford is really my favorite. So much cool stuff.

One of my most helpful things was being able to share my love for my dad with you guys, so I know that the Buffistas are here for you.

Not to totally bury the lede... I am moving to the So Cal desert.

My dad had an appt with his oncologist today and there were a lot of questions asked (mine were emailed). Probably he's got a year to five years because the brain tumors were quite responsive to the radiation but the ministrokes are really unpredictable and a little bit awful. This way I'll be a couple of hours away from him and I can see him once or twice a week in person.

I really love Portland and the PNW but I need to be closer to my dad right now. And it was this community, and some of the losses we've shared, that helped me realize how very true that was.

Oh, Cass. I am so sorry to hear that about your dad. And equally thankful that you are able to make the move to be closer to him. All kinds of love to you.

Oh, Cass, I'm so sorry. I hope you can spend lots of quality time with your dad. {{{Cass}}}

I'm so sorry Cass. Please let me know if I can do anything to help you settle in.

{{{ Cass }}} Sorry to hear of the news. Not the way I want a Buffista to move to my region. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help your transition to SoCal. (That includes a place to crash should you want to go to the LBGP. Although my new place is now a couple miles away now).

I'm sorry Cass. I hope your time with your dad is as long and good as possible.

{{{{Cass}}}} I'm bummed to not have you as a neighbor, but glad that you'll be closer to him for comfort and support...and I hope you can quickly get an emotional support system set up there. Let me know if there is anything at all you need in terms of help with packing or food deliveries or even just a few hours of kitty visiting and talking about completely different things for brain diversion.

{{{Cass}}} I am so sorry you and your family are having to deal with this. I wish I were closer by so I could do more.

In completely different news, my 16 yo (half)sister continues to excel and generating drama. After arrests and prosecution and restraining order and multiple court visits....I get this message from her mom: " Spent a few days realizing that what we're doing isn't working. Find myself in the unenviable position of saying, "Fine. You're both determined. If this is going to continue, it will be in space I can monitor and under my terms. And by the way, [boy] you have to fully inform your parents and get their consent as well." It will curdle my blood to have that skank in this house, but at least I can require that they stay in the living room and keep their clothes on. [Sister]is thrilled, "All I really want to do is cuddle anyway, mom." She had lunch with your dad and he's agreed to not pursue prosecution. [boy] is supposedly informing his parents today and tomorrow with the goal of setting up a meeting among the parents and children to discuss. I have high hopes that [his mom] will absolutely forbid it to happen. At which point, they can start taking the heat for keeping the couple apart. I haven't quite figured out how to manage if they go back to sneaking around after that. One wonders what it will finally take before the two of them realize this is just a bad idea. My hope is that more face-to-face time will help [her] realize that [he] is a skank who gets off on fantasies of inflicting pain. She texts him that she wants to snuggle and watch Dr. Who on the couch and he comes back with "I want to fuck you till you black out." Frustrates me that [she] is so totally blinded to the danger and disconnect. Maybe [he] will get bored when I'm around to try and keep things to a healthier level of interaction. MAYBE [she] will have the strength to ditch him when he says he'll only stay if she puts out. Too many maybes for me, but what we're doing now certainly doesn't seem to be working. Thoughts?"

Oh dear.

Oh Cass I'm sorry, but it does sound like the right call.

Yikes, Erin, that sounds fraught.